Multilateral whipstock and tools for installing and retrieving

Abstract

An improved tubing exit whipstock and tools for installing and retrieving the whipstock are provided for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom. The tubing exit whipstock may include a generally cylindrical deflector body with a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough. The deflector body may also include a tapered surface for deflecting well tools from the first wellbore to the second wellbore. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical connector may be provided for attaching the deflector body to an orienting and locking device to releasably install the whipstock at a selected downhole location. In another embodiment, a first fishing neck profile may be provided within the longitudinal passageway to provide means for releasably coupling the deflector body with a running tool for installing the tubing exit whipstock at a selected downhole location within the first wellbore. In yet another embodiment, the fishing neck may provide means for releasably coupling the deflector body with a pulling tool for removing the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location within the first wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tubing exit whipstock for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom, the whipstock comprising: a generally cylindrical deflector body with a first passageway extending therein, the deflector body having a first end with a first tapered surface formed thereon to deflect the well tools into the second wellbore, and the deflector body having a second end with a first mechanical connector for attaching the deflector body to an orienting and locking device to releasably install the tubing exit whipstock at a selected downhole location in the first wellbore;   a second longitudinal passageway extending from the first end of the deflector body at least partially therethrough;   a generally cylindrical hollow core disposed within the second longitudinal passageway of the deflector body, the first longitudinal passageway extending through the hollow core, and a first fishing neck profile being formed within the first longitudinal passageway in the hollow core, the first fishing neck profile providing means for releasably coupling the hollow core with a first retrieval tool for removing the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location in the first wellbore;   a second mechanical connector for releasably coupling the hollow core within the second longitudinal passageway of the deflector body;   a second fishing neck profile formed within the second longitudinal passageway of the deflector body;   the second mechanical connector providing means for releasing the hollow core from the second longitudinal passageway when a predetermined amount of force is applied by the first retrieval tool to the first fishing neck profile formed within the first longitudinal passageway; and   the second fishing neck profile providing means for a second retrieval tool to engage the deflector body to remove the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location.   
     
     
       2. A tubing exit whipstock for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom, the whipstock comprising: a generally cylindrical deflector body with a longitudinal first passageway extending therein, the deflector body having a first end with a first tapered surface formed thereon to deflect the well tools into the second wellbore, and the deflector body having a second end with a mechanical connector for attaching the deflector body to an orienting and locking device to releasably install the tubing exit whipstock at a selected downhole location in the first wellbore;   a fishing neck profile formed within the first passageway between the first end and the second end of the deflector body, the fishing neck profile providing means for releasably coupling the deflector body with a retrieval tool for removing the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location in the first wellbore; and   the deflector body further comprising: a debris barrier disposed on the exterior of the deflector body to prevent debris from interfering with releasing the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location;   a first opening formed in the exterior of the deflector body between the debris barrier and the first end of the deflector body, and a second opening formed in the first passageway; and   a second passageway extending between the first opening and the second opening to allow fluid to bypass the debris barrier as the whipstock moves through the first wellbore.     
     
     
       3. A whipstock for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom, the whipstock comprising: a generally cylindrical deflector body with a longitudinal first passageway extending therein, the deflector body having a first end with a first tapered surface formed thereon to deflect the well tools into the second wellbore, and the deflector body having a second end with a mechanical connector for attaching the deflector body to an orienting and locking device to releasably install the tubing exit whipstock at a selected downhole location in the first wellbore;   a fishing neck profile formed within the first passageway between the first end and the second end of the deflector body, the fishing neck profile providing means for releasably coupling the deflector body with a retrieval tool for removing the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location in the first wellbore; and   the deflector body further comprising: a debris barrier disposed on the exterior of the deflector body to prevent debris from interfering with releasing the tubing exit whipstock from the selected downhole location;   at least one second passageway extending in the deflector body;   the second passageway having a first opening for communicating with the exterior of the deflector body on one side of the debris barrier;   the second passageway having a second opening for communicating with the exterior of the deflector body on another side of the debris barrier; and   a check valve disposed between the first opening and the second opening to prevent undesired fluid flow through the deflector body.     
     
     
       4. A tubing exit whipstock for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom, the whipstock comprising: a generally cylindrical deflector body configured for releasable securement within a window portion of a tubing string disposed within casing in the first wellbore, the deflector body having a tool deflection surface formed on a first end, and a first passageway formed longitudinally in the deflector body and permitting fluid communication through the deflector body; and   a debris barrier disposed externally on the deflector body,   the deflector body further having a second passageway permitting fluid communication between the exterior of the deflector body, and the first passageway through a sidewall of the deflector body.   
     
     
       5. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 4, wherein the second passageway permits fluid communication between the first passageway and the exterior of the deflector body intermediate the debris barrier and the first end. 
     
     
       6. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 4, wherein the second passageway communicates with a fluid flow channel formed on the exterior of the deflector body. 
     
     
       7. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 6, wherein the fluid flow channel is formed into the exterior of the deflector body and extends generally longitudinally therein. 
     
     
       8. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 4, wherein the second passageway permits fluid communication between the first passageway and the exterior of the deflector body intermediate the debris barrier and a second end of the deflector body opposite the first end. 
     
     
       9. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 8, wherein the deflector body further has a third passageway permitting fluid communication between the first passageway and the exterior of the deflector body intermediate the debris barrier and the first end. 
     
     
       10. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 4, further comprising a check valve permitting fluid flow in one direction through the second passageway. 
     
     
       11. A tubing exit whipstock for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom, the whipstock comprising: a deflector body having a first tapered surface formed on one end and a first passageway formed at least partially through the deflector body; and   a core releasably disposed within the first passageway and having a second tapered surface formed thereon aligned with the first tapered surface.   
     
     
       12. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 11, further comprising a second passageway permitting fluid communication longitudinally through the deflector body and the core. 
     
     
       13. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 12, wherein a first fishing profile is formed internally in the second passageway within the core, and wherein a second fishing profile is formed internally in the first passageway within the deflector body. 
     
     
       14. A tubing exit whipstock for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom, the whipstock comprising: a generally tubular body having first and second opposite ends and an opening formed through a sidewall of the body between the first and second ends; and   a deflector body attached to the tubular body and extending within the tubular body, a tool deflection surface of the deflector body being aligned with the opening,   whereby the tubing exit whipstock is reciprocably receivable within a tubular string positioned within the first wellbore.   
     
     
       15. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 14, wherein the tubular body has a first fishing profile formed internally at the first end. 
     
     
       16. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 15, wherein the deflector body has a second fishing profile formed therein. 
     
     
       17. The tubing exit whipstock according to claim 14, wherein the tool deflection surface is releasably connected to a portion of the deflector body, the tool deflection surface being retrievable from within the tubular body separate from the deflector body portion.